Tag: new years resolution

It takes only 21 days to make a new habit but 90 days to stop an old one! As we approach 2016, do you have habits that determine your success in life, in business even your spiritual? I recently stumbled upon an article that I wanted to share with you that determines if you succeed or fail for the new year. I know I have written down some new years resolutions and I am going to try to make new habits.

Did you know our daily habits define who you are. You are practically what you do as well as you are what you eat. In the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal — it is the courage to continue that counts.” If you have ever failed in the past but never gave up, you are stronger than you think.

If you have failed recently and are considering giving up, don’t. The obstacle is definitely the way. There will always be a way out. You just haven’t found it yet. Keep on trying. Find out why and how you got stuck, and dig yourself out of the temporary setback. Unfortunately, most people refuse to do something about their failures. In the end, they give up on their dreams and stop working on projects that matter to them and continue to wallow in discontent.

Everyone fears to fail, experiencing it is inevitable, but it’s your response to it that makes all the difference. Don’t get stuck. You are not your failure. These are a few of the many habits that could guarantee your failure — and what you can do about them.

1. Failing to plan

You have a better chance to succeed in life if you have a plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists but those who get stuff done. You should always think through whatever you want to achieve and make plans on what to do next at any point in time. You plans should be specific, measurable and time-bound. A complete big picture prepares you for execution. Don’t make vague plans. You will be prone to procrastinate if your plan is not measurable. Work with timelines for better and faster results.

2. The fear to even try

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky could not have said that any better. You can only make progress if you take a step. Overcoming the fear of failing is the first step towards success. Start confronting your fears today. And take even the most basic step towards what you have to do. Remember the dream you were too scared to chase? It’s still not too late to give it a try. Never miss an opportunity to try.

“No matter how many mistakes you make, or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” — Tony Robbins.

3. Giving up too soon

How persistent are you about pursuing your dreams and goals in life? One of the most important secrets of success is learning to conquer your doubts. Most of us give up on our passion too soon. Every successful person you know today has a perseverance story to share. There is probably no better example of persistence than the story of Abraham Lincoln.

He failed in business at 21, lost a legislative race at age 22, failed in business again at 24 and lost a congressional race when he was 34. At 45 he lost a senatorial race. And he failed in an attempt to become Vice President when he was 47. But he was finally elected President of the United States at age 52. Lincoln never quit. He could have given up after several attempts but pursued his ambition to assume the highest office in America. There is no substitute for persistence. As long as you are still actively trying after every failure, you have not failed yet.

4. Disbelief

If you don’t believe in what you do, you will give up at some point. If you have no reason to believe it’s possible to achieve your dreams or goals, all the effort you are putting into it will be wasted. You mind’s unconscious beliefs plays a significant role in the amount of effort you put into your life’s work. If you don’t see a successful outcome, you won’t push yourself further to get there. Your progress depends on your decision to try knowing that you will overcome your failures and rise above them.

5. Making excuses

There will always be a reason why it can’t be done. People constantly explain away why they couldn’t, shouldn’t, didn’t, or simply wouldn’t do something. When you make excuses, you are simply saying, “I’m not in control.” But guess what — you are the only person who is fully in control of your actions and decisions in the world. Making excuses robs you of your personal power.

People make excuses because of the fear of the unknown. Others are just afraid of change, rejection and embarrassment. Fear locks you in your comfort zone. And nothing magical or remarkable happens in your safe zone. You can stop making excuses if you learn how to eliminate all traces of fear from your life. The next time you experience a setback, don’t make an excuse. See it as a challenge, learn from it and move on. Excuses are distractions, and they reduce your confidence and self-belief. You don’t want that — especially when you still have a lot to show the world.

Family meetings are all so interesting. I remember we had them right before school started as we lined the boys up on the couch. Going over rules and behaving right and getting good grades, however they didn’t always follow what mom and dad insisted on. As we were all together this holiday time, Jeff, Lyle and I sat around the kitchen table discussing what we could do as a family for our goals. Even though Bryson, Jordan and Spencer were not present, they from time to time came into the kitchen to impart their ideas. Based on Zig Ziglar and Dave Ramsey, we put our goals down on paper. There are 7 different areas to work on as a family. Of course we all have our own individual goals but these were strictly for the family.

1. Career and Ministry: Continue to train people in helping them move forward in their relationship with God. What values can we give to others that have been naturally been given to others that follow us? Dedication, Hunger, Passion, Commitment, Excellence in Ministry, Marketplace. We develop as a family as we our to enhance creativity, character and hold classes for developmental programs, bible college, Leaders Advance Conference, church staff meetings etc. Our mission this year is to start a family blog in social media where each one of us will post twice a month. This will include video or wording and we will all participate as administrators.

2. Financial: Support and give to missions. We have chosen 2 missionaries we know personally. We as a family will give $15 each, a month to total more than over $500 each for the year. These two women missionaries have our same vision, work diligently for the Kingdom and remarkably teach others to love Jesus to the fullest with a humble spirit. The continue to work to bless others, so we in turn will sow into their mission. This may not seem like much but each family member will do their best to give to causes we are not directly related to. I am going to make a box to put the money in.

3. Spiritual: We as a family will read the Bible Daily Plan so that we will all read the Bible through within one year. We also plan to fast for 6 days as a family. Attend Bible College classes and have Family Home Group once a quarter.

4. Physical: We are going to focus on staying healthy, eating and exercising. We are planning to either run a half of a marathon in the fall or do a three-day getaway in doing a ropes course, white water rafting and rock climbing, or a Warrior Dash (the boys would have to carry me though..lol)

5. Intellectual: Read 2 Books. We will have discussions throughout the year pertaining to the books and at family meetings.

6. Family: Once a quarter family meeting to discuss personal goals, successes as well as motivational structure. Holding each other accountable and staying positive, encouraging one another through texting, phone calls etc.

7. Social: The Family blog and attend events as a family during the year.

The Wheel of Life is a way of showing us how we need to distribute our time, our focus, and where we need to set goals. Most of us can focus heavily in one or a few areas. The issue with that is we leave the others unattended. When we do that, we miss out on important areas of life. If we spend too much time in a certain area, our wheel is out of round. If we don’t spend anytime in some areas, our wheel is flat. As you look at the wheel, note what areas you’re strong in, but really take a hard look at the areas where you suffer. Here is where you need to start paying attention. If you do a great job with the career, but you suffer in the social, you’ll have a very stress filled boring life. If you knock it out of the park intellectually, but you don’t focus on your family, there won’t be much of one some day.

Well now you have it! I hope that in some way I have encouraged you to do the same with your family! Mine is on paper and in this blog so I can time to time go back and make sure we are staying on track. If you don’t set goals then you never reach them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

For more information on goal setting: http://www.goals2go.com/articles/zig-ziglar-goal-setting.htm

Everyone always thinks of New Year’s Resolution as making a change for the better. People may make statements such as to exercise more, eat less, give more, spend more time with family, get out of debt, get organized or stopping bad habits are listed in the top ten. Go to church and get involved, be more spiritual, pray more, study more and do good deeds are also listed among believers. However 65% of people only make it through the first few months doing those things. By April, most have fallen off the wagon and are committing the same old habits again. The definition of insanity is doing the same old things over and over again but expecting a different result comes to life during this time. So if only 6% -12% of Americans keep and see through their resolutions, how do we stay motivated to be a part of that group?

There are times when again it comes down to my mood swings when I know my closet needs organizing and yes I know I don’t like the flab on my belly yet I can’t seem to always get motivated about changing or disciplining myself to actually change my habits. I have found out the most motivated people are those who are disciplined and have a habit of keeping organized and writing things down. Visualizing accomplishments is one tactic that can help turn resolutions into realities, according to a panel of fitness and nutrition experts. Being realistic, making incremental changes, finding an accountability partner and putting something to train for on the calendar can work, too.

So yesterday, I didn’t start out very well since my routine schedule was interrupted by driving to Nashville to check out buying a truck for Lyle. I don’t like it when others plan my schedule for me but I know I must also learn to be flexible with others and with my husband. I didn’t take time to write anything down, so guess what, I didn’t do anything when I got home.

This is my plan to stay motivated. I am going sit down and write down my goals for the year. When I go grocery shopping I will have already planned my meals out for the shopping list. When we go out to eat, we have decided to share a meal instead of getting appetizers and a meal each, along with no dessert. (This way, our tab is less and we don’t leave feeling over stuffed and watch our calories) The plan of exercising will be to encourage each other and go together to the gym but it must be planned into our schedule so we won’t miss and I don’t have to be in the mood. I will continue to visualize myself as being the best fit 46-year-old woman who can keep up with the daily demands of pasturing two churches, running my home, photography business, writing, traveling in missions and still find time for myself and for my family. It starts today!

Prayer: Lord, help me to realize that I can accomplish and find strength and motivation through your direction everyday. I pray we all turn to you in help when we feel as though we cannot change or when we start feeling down about failing our goals. I know that as I continue to pursue and see your Spirit daily, I will find a relationship with you like no other and know that all things can be accomplished. In Jesus Name. Amen.